Gill, Claire Louise

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY320975 Inspection date 25/03/2009 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 months in Kettering, Northamptonshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of the kitchen is used for childminding. The family has two pet rabbits. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also provides care to children aged over five years to nine years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children make rapid progress in this vibrant, stimulating, safe and truly inclusive provision. The childminder successfully incorporates the learning and development requirements through all activities and children's welfare is given the utmost priority. Partnerships with parents are very strong which ensures they are kept very well-informed about their child's progress and this consistent approach promotes children's feelings of well- being and belonging in the childminder's home. The childminder has implemented effective systems of self-evaluation that clearly identify her many areas of strength and well-targeted areas for continued development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 develop further the system of self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for every child.

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provision

The childminder has extremely high standards for the inclusive and individual care, welfare and development of the children that she successfully and consistently maintains. Safeguarding is given the utmost priority for all children. For example, the childminder fully understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in the event of any child protection concerns and she has comprehensive risk assessments in place that are regularly reviewed. She keeps her play materials, resources and equipment beautifully maintained and follows very effective procedures to reduce the risk of cross- infection during tasks, such as nappy changes and food preparation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The exemplary documentation and written policies and procedures are clearly reflected in the childminder's daily activity. The childminder successfully builds

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provision

highly effective partnerships with parents. She has systems in place to gain detailed information about children's routines and preferences before they start attending which are regularly updated for babies and updated as required for older children. Parents receive written information everyday regarding their child's activities, food intake, sleep times and nappy changes, as well as verbal feedback from the childminder. Parents also have regular access to their child's achievement folder which helps keep them informed about their child's progress in learning and development. These effective, consistent partnerships contribute to children's feelings of security and belonging in the childminder's home. This consistent approach also extends to the partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has established links with the other provisions attended by the children and plans are in place to share information about the

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provision

children's activities and achievements resulting in fully integrated care for the children.

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provision

The childminder actively reflects on her practice to ensure that she is able to meet the children's individual needs at all times. She continually evaluates her provision and identifies well-targeted areas for further development. For example, the childminder has significantly increased her knowledge and skills since the last inspection through attending a wide variety of training workshops, completing the National Childminding Association 'Quality First' Assurance Scheme and completing a Level 3 qualification. This commitment to improvement has a positive impact on the children because the childminder regularly puts ideas she gains from training into her daily practice. She is keen to continue to develop her processes for self- evaluation and has plans to involve parents and older children through seeking their views about her provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's dedicated and professional approach contributes to children being very interested and motivated to learn. Children are provided with a great range of well-planned and imaginative activities and play materials that enable them to develop across all the areas of learning. For example, babies are able to explore toys and natural resources such as pebbles and wooden items in the treasure basket and have opportunities to roll around and stretch out kicking their legs on the floor. Older children organise themselves with a tea party and access puzzles and games freely. The childminder is skilled at meeting all children's needs and they benefit greatly from her involvement in their games and activities. For example, they eagerly find the musical instruments following the suggestion by the childminder and become fully engaged in playing them. The children listen intently to the childminder's instructions and respond by playing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

'loudly', 'softly' and stopping and starting when the childminder says. They laugh and giggle at the different sounds they are able to make. The childminder ensures that all children enjoy individual time with her. For example, when younger children are asleep the childminder spends time with the older children on activities such as making felt pictures depicting people from around the world in national dress. The children's vocabulary and awareness of the wider world is promoted This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through the involvement of the childminder. Children's achievements are recorded through written observations, photographs and samples of their drawing and art and craft work that are listed under each area of learning. The childminder consistently encourages children to lead the play and activities and talks to their parents about what they like to do at home to enable her to incorporate this into

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their time in the setting. This assists the childminder in establishing each child's starting points. The childminder uses the 'Practice Guidance' document and any Schemas she identifies as well as the children's individual interests to inform the future planning which is usually broadly linked to a topic or theme. However, the childminder is confident to use opportunities that arise such as new interests of the children or the weather to change the planned activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is managed with great success. Their safety is given the utmost importance. The childminder employs very effective procedures to help children begin to learn about safety through encouraging them to help tidy away when they have finished playing and to be careful with the babies. Children are safe during outings because the childminder provides them with wrist bands and high visibility jackets to wear displaying the childminder's telephone number. Children are learning about the benefits of maintaining good personal hygiene. Older children are supported to be independent in the bathroom and enjoy talking about how to stay healthy through the current topic. They enjoy making their own sandwiches, spreading the bread and choose the fillings. The childminder has lots of resources to help the children learn. For example, laminated cards showing healthy food choices, a doctor, a dentist and an optician. The children also have opportunities to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

indulge in role play with carefully sourced props such as a stethoscope. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, they are able to select their own play materials and are fully involved and included. All children have access to the activities and the childminder ensures they are all able to join in. For example, during the music activity the childminder sits the babies in a supportive chair and encourages them to hold a noisy shaker. Children begin to become aware of others and show care and concern for each other. Their awareness of the wider world is developing through resources and books that celebrate diversity and the childminder carefully plans meaningful activities linked to the celebrations of festivals such as Chinese New Year. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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